Man Arrested In Queens Hit-And-Run That Injured Cop

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A robbery suspect who police said injured an NYPD officer in a hit-and-run in Queens last month is now in custody.

Gary Sarback, 61, of Lake Worth, Fla. was charged Tuesday with attempted murder on a police officer, assault, unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property.

On Aug. 22, police spotted a stolen black Ford pickup truck near Crescent Street and Broadway in Astoria that authorities said was linked to a nearby robbery from earlier in the day.

Police said Sarback was behind the wheel and when they tried to pull him over, he refused to stop and then struck the officer as he sped away.

Police said the injured officer and the suspect exchanged gunfire. A second officer also suffered minor injuries during the incident.

The truck was later found abandoned at 37th Avenue and 24th Street.

Police said the suspect had tried to steal a woman’s purse earlier in the day on 79th Street. The victim chased the man back to his truck and was dragged by the vehicle as it fled, police said. The victim refused medical treatment at the scene.